Oil-electric engine structure



April 26, 1932. G. J. RATHBUN OIL ELECTRIC ENGINE STRUCTURE Filed Nov. 10, 1930 n N v gwvmtoz Patented Apr. 26, 1932 GEORGE J. RATHBUN, OF TOLEDO, OHIO OIL-ELECTRIC ENGINE STRUCTURE .Application filed November 10, 1930. Serial No. 494,546.

This invention relates to oil engines, such for example as are adapted for oil electric locomotives in which an oil engine drives a generator for furnishing electric current to motors operatively connected to the driving Wheels. v 7

An important object is to produce a simple and efficient oil engine having the new and improved features of construction and arrangement hereinafter described particularly adapting it forhigh speeds and large capacity.

Another object is to produce an oil engine particularly adapted for use in an oil-electric locomotive which utilizes portions of the structure thereof as the frame for the locomotive.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear, and by way of illustration but not of limitation an embodiment of the invention is shown on the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of an oil engineelectric locomotive showing the base or bed, engine and generator but without the usual accessories necessary for operation thereof, sufficient disclosure being given to afford an understanding of the embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is a transverse section on the line 22 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a longitudinal plan view of a portion of the engine base or bed; and Fig. 1 is a transverse section on the line 44 of Fig. 3.

The illustrated embodiment of the invention comprises an oil-electric lomocotive having the usual trucks 1 provided with wheels 2, certain of which are driven by electric motors 3 suitably mounted on the trucks. The trucks 2 are swiveled to an engine base or bed 4. An important feature of this invention resides in the construction of the base 4 which, in the present instance, is formed from a single casting, although it may be made from two or more castings securely connected together.

The central portion 5 of the base 4 is enlarged and suitably shaped to form the lower portion of the generator housing. This, it will be observed is disposed intermediate the forward and rearward trucks 1, thereby obtaining a very desirable balanced arrangement; The upper generator housing section 7 is shown bolted to the base-section 5 and the sides thereof are bolted to opposed engine housings 8 and 9. The housings 8 and 9 are securely bolted to the base 4.

Crank shafts 9 are securely connected to the generator quill or shaft 9". An engine unit so constructed may be of large capacity and develop high speeds. The number of cylinders may be varied as desired but an outstanding feature resides in separatingthe cylinders and interposing the heavy rotating mass therebetween, which serves as a fly wheel. In this instance such heavy rotating mass is the generator. This engine is not only exceptionally well balanced and operates satisfactorily at high speeds but also is more compact than any other adapted for as large capacity. It is emphasized that this arrangement provides an engine which operates as a unit andthe importance and other advantages thereof will be apparent to those skilled in this art. I I

In addition to ca'stinga portion of the gen erator housing integral with the base 4, the crank case 10 for each of the blocks 8.andi9 is made .integralwith the base. As shown in Fig. 1 the crank cases 10 incline downwardly toward the generator housingsection 5 and thereby not only add reinforcement to the base but also tend to increase the strength and rigidity of the central portion thereof.

Adjacent each end of the base 4 is a centrally disposed longitudinal shock bar or strut 11 which isintegral with the end portion 12 at oneend and the crank case 10 and side braces 13 at the opposite end. From the side braces or arms 13 extend at an angle re- .inforcing arms 14 which connect to other bracing arms 15. The arms 13 and 15 are integral with longitudinal side arms 16 and extending. parallel to the arms 16 are bracing bars 17 integral respectively with the braces 13 and solid end 12.; Each end of the base 4 is similarly constructed.

It will be seen from the above description that the oil engine forms the frame of the locomotive and the extensionsof the engine base provide space for the usual accessories necessary for operating and controlling the mechanism. It is not essential that the bed be cast in a single piece because the generator housing may be integral with one section of the base and this portion may be bolted or otherwise secured to an adjacent bed portion. Furthermore, it might be desirable to cast the generator housing separately and bolt the other sections of the base to it. In any event, the arrangement, when assembled, provides virtually a one-piece construction. lVhile the form of mechanism shown and described is admirably adapted to fulfill the objects primarily stated, it is to be understood that it is not intended to confine the invention to the one form of embodiment herein disclosed, for it is susceptible of embodiment in various forms all coming'within the scope ofthe claims which follow.

What I' claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentis:

1. An. internal combustionengine having cylinders, pistons and crank shafts, certain cylinders being spaced laterally from theremai'nd'er with the crank shafts thereof in alignment, separate housings for said laterally spaced cylinders, a relatively heavy rotatable. mass interposedbetween the laterally spaced. Crank shafts providing a fly wheel therefor, a housing for said mass, means for rigidly securing said mass housing directly to said laterally spaced cylinder housings, and connectionsv between'said crank shafts and the axis of said rotatable mass.

' 2.. An. internal combustion engine unit having cylinders, pistons. and crank shafts, certain cylinders being spaced laterally from the; remainder with the respective crank shafts in alignment, housings for said. laterally spaced cylinders, a rotatable genera-tor interposed between thelaterally spaced crank shafts providing a fly wheel therefor, connectionsbetween saidcrank shafts. and the axis of said generator, a housing for said: generator, a base for said cylinders, and connec tions between, said base, generator housing and cylinder housingsproviding a, rigid structure. 7

3- In. a locomotive, aninternal combustion engine having cylinders, pistons and crank shafts, certain cylinders being spaced laterally from. the remainder with the respective crank shafts in alignment, housings for said laterally spaced cylinders,,a generator interposed between said; crank shafts, connections between said, crank shafts and, the axis of said generator, a rigid-base for said cylinder housings, said base and, housings. also providing the frame for the locomotive, trucks connected respectively to such frame in front and in rear of said generator,and extensions on; said base providing aplatform for accesseries. 7

4. In a locomotive, an internal combustion engine unit having; cylinders, pistons and crank shafts with the latter in alignment and certain cylinders spaced laterally from the remainder, housings for said laterally spaced cylinders, a generator interposed between said crank shafts, a rigid base for said cylinder housings, a generator housing, connections between said base, generator housing and cylinder housings providing a rigid structure, and trucks connected respectively to said base in front of and in rear of said generator.v

5. In a locomotive, laterally spaced trucks, an internal combustion engine having its base mounted directly on said trucks and providing the frame for the locomotive, said engine comprising cylinders, pistons, and a pair of crank shafts, certain of said cylinders being spaced laterally from the remainder and said shafts being arranged in alignment,

housings for said laterally spaced cylinders,

a generator disposed centrally of said base and between said crank shafts, connections between said crank shafts. and the axis of said generator, and a housing for said generator rigid withsaid base andsaid cylinder housings.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name to thls spec1ficat1on.

GEORGE J. RATHBUN. 

